Why $150 is an unrealistic price for GTA 6, even if it has a 1 billion dollar budget

The next Grand Theft Auto (GTA) title is under development, and the gaming community is eagerly waiting to learn more about it. Despite Rockstar Games’ secretive approach, some unfinished gameplay videos of the title got leaked in September 2022 and disclosed several details. However, there was no mention of the price of the upcoming game.

This did not stop fans from guessing the estimated price, and some now think it will cost around 150 USD. This rumored price is based on a leaked budget figure that surfaced a few weeks ago. However, many are claiming it is a hoax, leaving the community divided. This article explains why GTA 6 will not be more expensive than other comparable video games in the market.

Note: This article is subjective and only reflects the writer's opinions.

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Why GTA 6 won’t be costing $150 upon release

Even though the next Untitled Grand Theft Auto game is yet to be announced, rated, and released, many fans suspect it will cost around $150. In May 2023, data miners reported that Rockstar Games spent over a billion dollars developing the title. This is ridiculously high for any video game, and many fans believe that it is reason enough to drive up the estimated price.

However, the popular American gaming studio has commented on neither the budget leaks nor the estimated price.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is anticipated to be one of Rockstar Games' most ambitious projects, and fans have high hopes after witnessing the jaw-dropping leaked videos. But, nothing justifies the exorbitant price tag that some are expecting.

Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto 5 in 2013 and charged $60 per copy. After almost 10 years, the price has significantly dropped, with the game now costing only $39.99.

GTA 5’s price on PlayStation Store. (Image via Sportskeeda)

Currently, most AAA titles cost between $60 to $70 for the digital version. Many players prefer buying their games through digital stores, and most studios set their prices within this range.

Hogwarts Legacy, God of War Ragnarök, Elden Ring, and many other games cost between $60 and $70. Hence, the upcoming GTA game may also charge players similarly for the base version of the game.

It is a widely known fact that gaming studios spend millions of dollars to develop their projects, and most of the money goes into advertising and promotion after release. A significant portion of the GTA 6 budget will likely be spent on promotions and related activities as well.

Therefore, it is best not to be concerned about this rumored price tag just yet. Instead, we should expect Rockstar to deliver refined gameplay free of problems such as GTA Online money glitches, bugs, and other issues in the upcoming title.